title: Intramedullary spinal cord abscess.
abstract: Viral myelitis and bacterial epidural infections are common in intravenous drug abusers, but primary infections of the spinal cord are extremely rare. We report a 50-year-old active intravenous drug user who developed tetraplegia from an intramedullary abscess caused by Pseudomonas cepacia. Despite neurosurgical drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy, no improvement was seen. Earlier intervention and a high index of suspicion is required in patients with a history of intravenous drug abuse and spinal cord symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital, New York.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Koppel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daras
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Duffy
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous